Best 9 Grilled Vegetable Panini With Basil Pesto Recipes

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Grilled vegetable panini with basil pesto is the perfect summer sandwich. It's flavorful and filling, yet light and refreshing. The grilled vegetables are tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, then layered with creamy basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, and your favorite bread. This sandwich is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your vegetables crisp-tender or well-caramelized, or your pesto mild or spicy, this recipe is sure to please. So fire up your grill and get ready to enjoy the best grilled vegetable panini with basil pesto you've ever had!

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI



Grilled Vegetable Panini image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup olive oil
2 small Japanese eggplants or 1 medium to large regular eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 zucchini, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 small red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 baguettes (each about 2 feet long)
1/2 cup Basil Pesto, recipe follows
8 ounces fresh water-packed mozzarella cheese, drained, sliced
2 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup roasted red peppers
8 large basil leaves, optional

Steps:

  • Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely.
  • Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup (about) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • In a blender, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
  • Yield: 1 cup
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI



Grilled Vegetable Panini image

Provided by Sandra Lee

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 medium eggplant, sliced on the bias into 1/4-inch strips
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 green bell pepper, stem and seeds removed, sliced in 8 pieces
1 medium yellow squash, sliced on the bias into 1/4-inch strips
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1 French baguet

Steps:

  • Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush the sliced vegetables with 1/4 cup canola oil. Season with salt and pepper and place on the grill. Cook until they have slightly charred and softened slightly, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the garlic, Italian seasoning, vinegar, remaining 1/4 cup canola oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle half of the dressing over the grilled vegetables. Stir the chopped olives into the remaining dressing.
  • Cut the bread into 4 equal pieces and slice open. Spread the olive dressing evenly on 4 bottom pieces of the bread. Top with a single layer of each of the vegetables, reserving the remaining vegetables for Round 2 Recipe Ratatouille Pasta. Sprinkle the cheese over each and place the remaining 4 bread pieces on top. Place in a panini press and cook until well toasted, about 5 minutes. (Or place on a well-oiled grill pan and place a heavy hot cast-iron skillet or griddle on top of the sandwiches, and grill until the bread is well toasted, about 5 minutes per side.)

GRILLED VEGETABLE AND MOZZARELLA PANINI



Grilled Vegetable and Mozzarella Panini image

Provided by Marge Perry

Categories     Sandwich     Cheese     Kid-Friendly     Back to School     Lunch     Mozzarella     Eggplant     Bell Pepper     Healthy     Self     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher     Small Plates

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 medium eggplant, cut lengthwise into 8 slices (1/4 inch each)
1 medium zucchini, cut into 8 slices (1/4 inch each)
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and quartered
8 slices ciabatta
1 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella
8 large fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Whisk vinegar, oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray; place vegetables in 1 layer on sheet. Brush both sides of eggplant and zucchini with vinegar mixture. Spray all vegetables with cooking spray and place under broiler, 7 to 8 minutes, turning once and coating with cooking spray. Lightly brush bottom slices of ciabatta with remaining vinegar mixture. Pile veggies, cheese and basil on 4 slices of bread. Close sandwiches; spray both sides with cooking spray. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add sandwiches. Place a second skillet on top of sandwiches and press down. Cook 4 minutes, flipping once. Serve.

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI WITH BASIL PESTO



Grilled Vegetable Panini With Basil Pesto image

This recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis. This is a tasty way to work veggies into your diet. It's pretty easy to make, loaded with flavor, and also filling!

Provided by Juenessa

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 40m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/4 cup olive oil
2 small Japanese eggplants or 1 large regular eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 zucchini, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 small red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 French baguettes (each about 2 feet long)
1/2 cup basil pesto, recipe follows
8 ounces water-packed fresh mozzarella cheese, drained, sliced
2 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup roasted red pepper
8 large basil leaves (optional)
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/3 cup about extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • For Panini:.
  • Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Cool completely.
  • Cut each baguette into 6 pieces.
  • Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto.
  • Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette.
  • (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.).
  • For Basil Pesto:.
  • In a blender, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped.
  • With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency.
  • Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese.
  • Season the pesto with more salt and pepper, to taste.
  • (The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
  • Yields 1 cup and takes about 10 minutes to prepare.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 434.5, Fat 20.5, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 18.6, Sodium 827, Carbohydrate 49.6, Fiber 7.2, Sugar 3.7, Protein 14.9

GRILLED EGGPLANT PANINI WITH BASIL AIOLI



Grilled Eggplant Panini with Basil Aioli image

I love being able to use the bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs from my garden for summer meals. This sandwich is loaded with veggies and has such a satisfying crunch. The melty provolone finishes things off perfectly. -Joseph A. Sciascia, San Mateo, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large eggplant, cut into 8 slices
2 large sweet red peppers, cut into large pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ciabatta rolls, split
8 slices provolone cheese

Steps:

  • For aioli, place the first 8 ingredients in a blender; cover and process until smooth. , Brush vegetables with oil. Place in broiling pan and broil 3-4 inches from heat, or grill, covered, over medium heat until tender, 4-5 minutes per side. Chop the peppers when cool enough to handle. , Spread cut sides of each roll with 2 tablespoons aioli; top each with cheese. Layer bottoms with eggplant and peppers. Replace tops., In a panini press, grill sandwiches until cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes. Serve remaining aioli with sandwiches or save for another use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 732 calories, Fat 38g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 1116mg sodium, Carbohydrate 83g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI



Grilled Vegetable Panini image

Make and share this Grilled Vegetable Panini recipe from Food.com.

Provided by chef 998002

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 10m

Yield 12 pieces, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup olive oil
1 large eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 zucchini, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 small red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
salt & freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, drained, sliced
2 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup roasted red pepper

Steps:

  • Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely.
  • Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 119.9, Fat 8.9, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 14.9, Sodium 203.8, Carbohydrate 5.7, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 2.6, Protein 5.3

GRILLED OPEN-FACED VEGETABLE, PESTO, AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES



Grilled Open-Faced Vegetable, Pesto, and Mozzarella Sandwiches image

Categories     Sandwich     Vegetable     Vegetarian     Lunch     Mozzarella     Basil     Summer     Gourmet

Yield Makes 4 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 red bell pepper, quartered
1 yellow bell pepper, quartered
3 small eggplants (about 1/2-pound total), sliced diagonally 1/4inch thick
olive oil for brushing vegetables and bread
1 14-inch-long loaf Italian bread, halved horizontally with serrated knife
1/2 cup pesto
1 cup diced mozzarella cheese (about 1/4 pound)
3 tablespoons finely shredded fresh basil leaves for garnish
For the pesto:
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons pine nuts or chopped walnuts, toasted lightly and cooled
1 large garlic clove, chopped
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 olive oil

Steps:

  • To make the sandwich:
  • Prepare grill.
  • Lightly brush bell peppers and eggplants with oil and grill on an oiled rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals about 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Cut peppers into strips.
  • Lightly brush cut sides of bread with oil and grill, cut sides down, about 2 minutes, or until golden. Spread each piece of bread with 4 tablespoons pesto and divide peppers, eggplants, and mozzarella between them. Grill sandwiches, covered, just until cheese is melted. (Alternatively, vegetables and assembled sandwiches may be broiled.) Sprinkle each sandwich with basil and cut in half.
  • To make the pesto:
  • In a blender or small food processor blend together all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Pesto keeps, covered and chilled, up to 1 week. Makes about 2/3 cup.

PESTO FOR GRILLED-VEGETABLE PANINI



Pesto for Grilled-Vegetable Panini image

Use this pesto to make our Grilled-Vegetable Panini.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Gluten-Free Recipes

Yield Makes 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 small garlic clove
2 cups fresh basil
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Chop garlic in a food processor. Add basil and pine nuts. Puree until smooth. With machine running, drizzle in olive oil. Pulse in Parmesan cheese and salt. Refrigerate until ready to use (up to 3 days).

GRILLED-VEGETABLE PANINI



Grilled-Vegetable Panini image

The uniform heat of a panini press gives these vegetable sandwiches just the right crispness. But they can easily be made without a press: Heat the panini in a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat, and set another heavy skillet on top of them as they cook.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Lunch Recipes

Yield Makes 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 red bell peppers
2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
2 medium yellow summer squashes, thinly sliced lengthwise
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 baguette, sliced 1/3 inch thick on a sharp bias into 16 long slices
Pesto

Steps:

  • Heat grill to medium. Grill peppers, turning occasionally, until charred, about 18 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand for 10 minutes. Rub off skins, and remove ribs and seeds. Slice peppers into 1-inch-thick strips.
  • Meanwhile, lightly brush zucchini and squashes with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Grill until charred and tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  • Spread bread slices with pesto. Top 8 slices with vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Sandwich with remaining bread.
  • Heat a panini press. Lightly brush sandwiches with oil. Press until bread is golden brown and crusts are crisp, 2 to 4 minutes.

Tips:

  • Choose the right vegetables: For best results, use firm vegetables that can withstand grilling, such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
  • Marinate the vegetables: Marinating the vegetables in olive oil, herbs, and spices will help them to stay moist and flavorful during grilling.
  • Grill the vegetables: Grill the vegetables over medium-high heat until they are tender and slightly charred.
  • Assemble the panini: Spread basil pesto on one side of each slice of bread. Layer the grilled vegetables, cheese, and any other desired toppings on one side of the bread. Top with the remaining slice of bread.
  • Grill the panini: Grill the panini in a panini press or on a lightly oiled griddle until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Conclusion:

The grilled vegetable panini with basil pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make sandwich that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The sandwich is packed with grilled vegetables, cheese, and basil pesto, and it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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